Onika Venus born in Resource, South Manchester, Jamaica but now an international singer/songwriter, has three brothers and three sisters, three of whom still reside in Jamaica. Always bubbly, when growing up, she was described as “a nosey little chatterbox”. 

Music ran through Onika’s blood from a tender age. Her early introduction to live performance was in her home village Resource, in a talent show called Star Night where she performed one of her songs with her friend Chabe. Since then, her soulful voice and reggae related style have been capturing the hearts of audiences on two continents.

Great grandmother Shera Wint was described by Onika’s family as having “the most beautiful voice you ever heard”. If you believe that talent can re-appear in later generations, then after hearing Onika, you might suspect that Shera Wint’s voice has re-appeared in Onika, no surprise then, that her mother nicknamed her “Shera”.

Moving to Kingston Onika first experienced a proper recording studio but just as she started getting excited about studio life, her ticket to the UK had arrived. She was heading for London! In London Onika worked on the Remix by Seanie B from BBC 1EXTRA featuring her, Tubby T and Miss Dynamite and a song with Nathan & Lady Posh – The Way You Wine.

​Early 2006 Onika fronted the band Slyde and a new era began. With her unique voice mixing with their Break beat, Techno and House music styles, they recorded ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ and ‘Vibrate to This”, released on the Finger Licking Label. They were nominated for best new act at the Break Beat Awards that year. 

​However, London didn’t fulfil all her hopes, so Onika moved to the musically vibrant city of Bristol for a new adventure. 

Onika was introduced to Mark Venus, a musician working around Bristol and the South West UK, 11 years on with two beautiful kids, the music still beats in their hearts.

These days, Onika performs in the UK with her band ‘Onika Venus’, band members including Mark Venus, Allen Hutkin, Kayla Kelly, Tom Selway and Dan Boulter.

Her original material, range of styles, including old school reggae and soulful compositions, conjure up many surprises.

Onika learned early on that music reaches people in a way that nothing else does. Her objective is to always leave a positive footprint, to perform in a way that leaves audiences with smiles on their faces and always, always, always wanting more.

“Music has a way of reaching people in a way that nothing else can.

My hope is to always leave a positive footprint and a smile on people’s faces”.

Evergreen Hall Broadwell GL16 7BN

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